Fly to three of the wildest places in Botswana, experiencing diverse habitats, each with its own unique beauty and allure. On this well-priced safari in Botswana, you'll enjoy outstanding game viewing in the Savuti Marsh of Chobe National Park, and explore the watery Okavango Delta with local guides on bush walks and Mokoro trips. Then head to the semi-arid Kalahari Desert to walk with the San people, known as the Kalahari bushmen.
Spend three nights at each of the following affordable yet stylish and authentic safari lodges tucked away in the remote wilderness - Ghoha Hills Camp in Savuti (Chobe National Park), Oddballs' Enclave (Okavango Delta) and Deception Valley Lodge (Central Kalahari Desert).
__large.jpg "Kalahari San")
__large.jpg "Deception Valley Lodge room")
__large.jpg "Savuti safari camp")
This budget safari in Botswana starts in Maun, where you will be met and flown by light aircraft to the popular Savuti Marsh area in western Chobe National Park.
Arriving at the Savuti airfield your guide drives you about 40 minutes to our first Botswana safari lodge, Ghoha Hills Camp, stopping to watch wildlife en route.
Ghoha Hills Camp is situated on a hill overlooking Savuti Marsh's floodplains that draw large numbers of herbivores to the juicy grazing, with a host of predators behind them. With its large populations of big cats and other carnivores, Savuti in Chobe National Park is considered one of the best locations in Africa to view predators.
In open 4x4 vehicles, your Chobe safari guides take you on game drives in the early mornings and late afternoons, when you will likely spot various animals and birds as you travel around the Savuti Marsh's edges. Your guide will tell you about the local wildlife, birds, and natural ecosystems. We explore Pimple Hill, marvel at prehistoric rock paintings, and take a leg break beneath a grove of stately baobab trees.
During your downtime at Ghoha Hills Camp in Savuti, you can read, swim in the pool, and take in the stunning views from Ghoha Hills while looking out for local wildlife and birds.
Eleven luxury tented rooms make up this small Chobe safari camp. With en-suite bathrooms and individual observation decks that provide a picturesque view of the Savuti floodplains, they are roomy and cosy. Tented cabins are spaced apart to form secluded retreats within the natural environment.
Several areas for dining, reading, and relaxing are arranged throughout the main camp to fully enjoy the view from Ghoha Hill over the Savuti plains, and the activity of animals coming to the waterhole at the base of the hill. There is a rock swimming pool and spa that offers a menu of indulgent treatments. There is also an option to book a helicopter ride for a fantastic aerial perspective. Ghoha Hills Camp is dedicated to using only solar energy for operation.
Situated in Savuti, in the western region of Chobe National Park, Ghoha Hills Camp is home to some of Africa's greatest concentrations of wildlife species. Many lions and endangered wild dogs have been sighted in this famously predator-rich safari region of Botswana. The best parts of this place are seeing wildlife and birds move freely from the camp and on open-air game drives, which are great for taking pictures and seeing wildlife. Situated in the heart of Savuti, just a 40-minute drive from the Savuti airstrip, this tented camp offers an authentic African safari experience.
On day four of our Botswana Safari, we have breakfast and then head for the Savuti Airstrip where we take a light aircraft flight into the heart of the pristine Okavango Delta of Botswana. We head to Oddballs' Enclave, our next destination, awed by the stunning aerial views of the waterways and wildlife below. The remote Oddballs' Enclave (named after its first-ever manager) is only accessible by air. This intimate camp is located on a secluded small island just off Chief's Island, which lies in the world-famous Moremi Game Reserve, known as a predator-viewing hotspot.
Your friendly, private guide meets you at the airstrip and remains your guide (shared between two guests) throughout your stay at Oddballs' Enclave. The guides are local to the area and know the Delta in minute detail, having grown up here, their passion is to delight guests with their knowledge. Your guide will take you on early morning and late afternoon walks and mokoro trips when there is enough water in the delta. The emphasis is on exploring nature up close on foot, slowing down, and taking in the details.
On your nature walks in the Okavango Delta, you can get really close to the flora, birds, and wildlife, from the biggest to the smallest. Your Delta guide will do his best to seek out special birds and animals for you to photograph, memories of a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Your guide is highly experienced and trained to keep you safe and informed on your walking safaris into the unspoiled bush. Sharing his in-depth knowledge your guide points out the fascinating insects, plants, animal tracks, and other signs of animal activity in the bush.
The bush walks surround you with the pure untouched beauty of the Okavango Delta and its wildlife. You may encounter elephants, buffaloes, lions, hippos, and crocodiles in the waters. Maybe you'll even glimpse the more elusive leopard and wild dog. Grazing in large numbers, plains species like buffalo, giraffe, zebra, and impala provide unforgettable sights. Walking in one of the wildest places left in Africa is a thrilling experience as big mammals roam freely here, including large predators.
When the water levels in the Okavango Delta are high enough, we'll also enjoy Mokoro trips. The mokoro safaris are usually undertaken early in the morning and late afternoon. On mokoro safaris your guide stands in the stern of his old-school canoe, propelling two passengers slowly through the waters with a long pole. You'll explore the intricate network of waterways and channels, tranquil lagoons, and reed-fringed islands of the Okavango Delta in traditional-style mokoro canoes. This is one of the best ways to explore the delta and encounter wildlife and birds, as you move slowly and quietly through the bush.
While in the delta, a picnic lunch from the camp can be arranged, allowing you to spend a whole day in the Okavango Delta. Between excursions, you can relax on the viewing decks or cool den area at camp and watch for animals and birds in the surrounding wetlands. Relax at the end of the day with sundowners on the deck and sit out under the stars around the fire at night, enjoying the peace and listening to the sounds of nature.
A small, intimate safari camp that can only be reached by plane, Oddballs' Enclave is an intimate Okavango Delta getaway. This delta camp has five permanent tents and main guest areas with remarkable views. The well-appointed Meru-style canvas tents are set on raised wooden platforms with small deck areas where guests can sit back and enjoy being in nature. Each walk-in tent has a semi-detached bathroom fitted with a very private, open-air, bucket shower with cold and hot water. The tents are furnished with either twin or double beds offering simplicity and comfort.
The remote Oddballs' Enclave has a beautiful setting - on a small island in the heart of the pristine Okavango Delta. This family-friendly tented camp is the perfect spot to get in touch with nature and unwind. Lounging on the decks, or around the campfire and in the open-sided lounge and dining areas, guests can see wildlife and birds in the grasslands and woods around the camp in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere.
We leave the watery Okavango Delta and Oddballs Enclave after breakfast on Day 7 of our safari in Botswana and head to the Delta Airstrip for our flight to the Central Kalahari Desert. The light aircraft flight takes us to the private airstrip at Deception Valley Lodge, just north of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve for the last leg of our Botswana lodge safari.
From the airstrip, you are transferred to the 15,000-hectare private reserve that Deception Valley Lodge is located on. Here you can immerse yourself in the semi-arid bush environment, soaking up the quiet and space of the massive Kalahari Desert, watching beautiful sunsets, and admiring the star-studded skies at night.
This desert lodge is inside a private reserve on the northern boundary of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. Deception Valley Lodge is a remote desert "oasis" with its own airstrip 15 minutes from the lodge. This comfortable lodge overlooks a waterhole in the reserve and has a swimming pool. Up to 16 guests can stay at the lodge which features various lounge and dining areas and eight spacious suites. Each unit has a lounge area, bedroom, and en-suite bathroom with a feature bath and outdoor shower. Wireless internet is available via satellite.
Guests enjoy afternoon and night game drives in custom-built safari vehicles. The guides can drive off-road in the private reserve enabling them to track wildlife. The private reserve hosts Kalahari lions, cheetahs, leopards, giraffes, kudus, and more. On night drives shy nocturnal species are spotted and during the day bird watching in the Kalahari is also rewarding.
The lodge offers unique cultural encounters with the Naru-speaking San people (Kalahari bushmen) of the Kalahari Desert, including nature walks. Guests can join the local San guides for nature walks, finding out how these hunter-gatherers have survived in the deserts of Southern Africa for thousands of years. The guides offer insight into the hunting and foraging techniques and survival skills of the remarkable San tribe, as well as their distinctive rituals, crafts, and culture. On the walks the Kalahari San people also point out the rich plant resources of this semi-desert habitat, explaining the culinary, ceremonial, and medicinal uses of the flora. On the walks, the guides also share their in-depth knowledge of the indigenous animals, reptiles, birds, and insects.
On day 10, we enjoy our last breakfast on safari at Deception Valley Lodge. Then, it's time to pack up and bid the African wilderness farewell and embark on your light aircraft flight back to Maun, savouring the breathtaking aerial views of northern Botswana. Our memorable Kalahari, Okavango Delta & Savuti Lodge Safari in Botswana concludes on landing in Maun.
Please note that the time to travel on this Botswana Safari would be during the late fall, winter, and early spring seasons in Botswana. This is because the summer months are uncomfortably hot for walking safaris in the Okavango Delta and the water levels are not high enough for proper mokoro trips. Please contact us for alternative lodge options or more information on water Levels in the Okavango Delta.
This tour does take children.
Children of all ages are welcome to join with accompanying parents or guardians.
Please note:
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__large.jpg "Oddballs Enclave")